If any one of us were told we have to suffer greatly, fall into snares and traps people set up for us and then be persecuted for our belief in Christ chances are we would want to pass. Sadly at times we will be among people we thought loved the Lord as much as we do only to be disappointed by their actions that do not reflect Gods way! If we were told this all has to be for the light of God to shine through us would we accept the challenge? Or as many think if one is a Christian we are so protected it is sunny skies and smooth sailing for now we’re saved. Actually all of the above is needful in the life of the one who follows the Lord completely as we die to self we too become as a living sacrifice for others (Romans 12:1,2) I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

As Christian’s we are considered fool’s for Christs sake, yet with all our Lord endured we as His followers are made as a spectacle to those who do not understand Gods way ( 1 Corinthians 4:9-14) For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men. We are fools for Christ’s sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised. Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace; And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day. I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you.

The grace of God is great and anything we endure for the precious name of Christ is not to be compared to the eternity He has bought for us at the Cross He endured to give salvation to all who call upon Him out of a repentant heart! (Romans 8:33-39) Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, not things to come, Nor height, nor depth, not any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.